Cantilevered umbrella with rotation system

ABSTRACT

A cantilevered umbrella having a base, a mast, a cantilevered arm, a canopy, and a rotation system. The mast has a first end connectable to the base and a second end. The cantilevered arm has a first portion pivotally connected to the second end of the mast and a second portion rotatably connected to the first portion. The canopy is connected to the cantilevered arm and has a covering and a frame. The frame is moveable between an inflated position and a deflated position. The rotation system includes a handle, a first pulley operable by the handle, a second pulley connectable to the second portion of the cantilevered arm, and a cable connecting the first pulley to the second pulley. Rotation of the handle rotates the second portion of the cantilevered arm with respect to the first portion of the cantilevered arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/068,797 filed on Oct. 27, 2014, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to umbrella rotational systems, andmore particularly, cantilevered umbrellas utilizing rotational systems.

BACKGROUND

Cantilevered umbrellas are well known in the art. Traditionalcantilevered umbrellas have a dome-shaped canopy that is suspended froma cantilevered arm. Because of this suspension, traditional cantileveredumbrellas can be cumbersome to operate and position to ensure thatcoverage is maximized.

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment, a cantilevered umbrella having a base,a mast, a cantilevered arm, a canopy, and a rotation system. The masthas a first end and a second end. The first end of the mast isconnectable to the base. The cantilevered arm has a first portionpivotally connected to the second end of the mast and a second portionrotatably connected to the first portion. The canopy is connected to thecantilevered arm and has a covering and a frame. The frame is moveablebetween an inflated position and a deflated position. The rotationsystem includes a handle, a first pulley operable by the handle, asecond pulley connectable to the second portion of the cantilevered arm,and a cable connecting the first pulley to the second pulley. Rotationof the handle rotates the second portion of the cantilevered arm withrespect to the first portion of the cantilevered arm.

According to a second embodiment, a cantilevered umbrella having a base,a mast, a cantilevered arm, a canopy, and a rotation system. The masthas a first portion connectable to the base and a second portionrotatable with respect to the first portion. The cantilevered arm ispivotally connected to the mast. The canopy is connectable to thecantilevered arm and has a covering and a frame. The frame is moveablebetween an inflated position and a deflated position. The rotationsystem has a handle, a first gear connectable to the handle, a secondgear connectable to the first portion of the mast, and a third gearconnectable to the second portion of the mast. Rotation of the handlerotates the second portion of the mast with respect to the first portionof the mast.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, advantages, and other uses of the presentapparatus will become more apparent by referring to the followingdetailed description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cantilevered umbrella in an open state;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the cantilevered umbrella in a closed state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing that illustrates how the cantileveredumbrella is lowered and closed;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing that illustrates how the cantileveredumbrella can be tilted;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the cantileveredumbrella in an open state;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantileveredumbrella in a first partially closed state;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantileveredumbrella in a second partially closed state;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantileveredumbrella in a closed state;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantileveredumbrella in a first partially opened state;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantileveredumbrella in a second partially opened state;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantileveredumbrella with a rotator lever;

FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing showing a rotation system housed withinthe alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of thecantilevered umbrella in an opened position;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, detail view of a mast of the secondalternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in a rotatedposition;

FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing representing a rotation system thatallows the mast to rotate as shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a frame of the secondalternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in the openedposition;

FIG. 17 is a schematic drawing representing the inner workings of amast, a cantilevered arm, a connecting member of the second alternativeembodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in the opened position; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the second alternative embodiment ofthe cantilevered umbrella in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-2 show a cantilevered umbrella 20 having a base 30, a mast 40,and a canopy 50. FIG. 1 shows the cantilevered umbrella 20 in an openstate, while FIG. 2 shows the cantilevered umbrella 20 in a closedstate. The base 30 may be made of any suitable material, such as plasticor metal. The base 30 may have a rectangular-shape with an opening 31.The opening 31 allows a dense material, such as sand, to be placed inthe base 30, which can help prevent the cantilevered umbrella 20 fromleaning or tipping over from a gust of wind.

The mast 40 is elongated and extends longitudinally upward from the base30. The mast 40 can extend vertically or substantially vertically. Themast 40 is substantially hollow, which allows for the mast 40 to house apulley system 60. The mast 40 may be made of any suitable material, suchas plastic or metal.

The mast 40 is comprised of a first portion 41, a second portion 42, anda third portion 43. The first portion 41 is spaced a longitudinaldistance from the second portion 42, and the second portion 42 is spaceda longitudinal distance from the third portion 43. The first portion 41is positioned closest to the base 30, and the third portion 43 ispositioned furthest away from the base 30. The second portion 42 ispositioned between the first portion 41 and the third portion 43. Thecross-section of first portion 41 is largest near the base 30 and tapersnear the second portion 42, such that the cross-section of the firstportion 41 has the same general size as the cross-section of the secondportion 42. The cross-section of the second portion 42 may have agenerally circular shape to allow for rotation of the second portion 42in relation to the first portion 41. A plurality of elongated grooves 44extend longitudinally on the second portion 42. The plurality ofelongated grooves 44 are used by a slide assembly 70 for engagement.

The slide assembly 70 has a first handle 71, a second handle 72, and acenter portion 73. The first handle 71 is spaced a longitudinal distancefrom the second handle 72. The center portion 73 is between the firsthandle 71 and the second handle 72. The first handle 71 is closer to thefirst portion 41 of the mast 40 than the second handle 72, and thesecond handle 72 is closer to the third portion 43 of the mast 40 thanthe first handle 71. The first handle 71, the second handle 72, and thecenter portion 73 have a substantially hollow area that surrounds thesecond portion 42 of the mast 40 that must be large enough for the slideassembly 70 to be slid longitudinally along the second portion 42 of themast 40. The first handle 71 and the second handle 72 each have anaperture 74, 75 that extends longitudinally through it. These apertures74, 75 create the handles that assist with the operation of thecantilevered umbrella 20.

The first handle 72 has a lowering button 76 and a tilt button (notshown). The lowering button 76 and the tilt button are substantiallysimilar and may be oval buttons that extend out of the first handle 71on opposite sides. The tilt button releases only the slide assembly 70so that cantilevered umbrella 20 remains in the open state. The loweringbutton 76 releases both the slide assembly 70 and the pulley system 60so that the cantilevered umbrella 20 may be returned to the closedstate. These functions will be discussed further later.

At a free end 45 of the mast 40, a cantilevered arm 46 extends away fromthe mast 40 toward the canopy 50. The cantilevered arm 46 is attached tothe free end 45 of mast 40 and the middle of a primary external arm 54of the canopy 50 using fixed hinges 47, 48. A free end 78 of the primaryexternal arm 54 is also attached to the slide assembly 70 near thesecond handle 72 using a fixed hinge 49. The fixed hinges allow thecanopy 50 to be tilted using the slide assembly 70 when the canopy 50 isin the open state.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the canopy 50 is comprised of a covering 51 and aframe 52. The frame 52 has an external end cap 53, the primary externalarm 54, a plurality of secondary external arms 55, a center arm 56, anda plurality of internal arms 57. Five secondary external arms 55 areshown and six internal arms 57, although this number could vary as longas the number of external arms 54, 55 and the number of internal arms 57are the same. The external arms 54, 55 extend away from the external endcap 53 and are equidistant from one another. The center arm 56 is hollowand extends downward away from the external end cap 53. Near a free end58 of the center arm 56, an internal end cap 59 rests when thecantilevered umbrella 20 is in the open state. Each of the internal arms57 are hingedly attached to the internal end cap 59 and to one of theexternal arms 54, 55 so that the angle between the external arms 54, 55and the internal arms 57 can change when the internal end cap 59 isextended away from the center arm 56 by the pulley system 60.

The covering 51 is attached to the frame 52 so that covering 51 isbetween the external arms 54-55 and the internal arms 57. The covering51 may also be attached so that it is between the external end cap 53and the center arm 56. The covering 51 may be made of any suitablematerial that provides adequate protection from the sun, such as nylon.The covering 51 could also contain a waterproof material to provideprotection from rain.

The pulley system 60 that is housed inside the mast 40 is comprised of aspring 61, a first pulley 62, a second pulley 63, a third pulley 64, afirst fixed end 65, a second fixed end 66, a first cable 67, and asecond cable 68. The spring 61 is attached in the first portion 41 ofthe mast 40 near the base 30 and extends toward third portion 43 of themast 40. The first pulley 62 is located near the location where thesecond portion 42 and the third portion 43 meet. The second pulley 63 islocated in the slide assembly 70 near the location where the primaryexternal arm 54 attaches to the slide assembly 70. The third pulley 64is located between the external end cap 53 and the center arm 56 of thecanopy 50. The first fixed end 65 is located in the first portion 41 ofthe mast 40 near the base 30 and the location where the spring 61 isattached. The second fixed end 66 is located in the slide assembly 70near the location where the primary external arm 54 attaches to theslide assembly 70. The first cable 67 is attached to the spring 61 onone end, loops over the first pulley 62, and is attached on the otherend at the first fixed end 65. The second cable 68 is attached to thesecond fixed end 66, loops over the second pulley 63 and the thirdpulley 64, and is attached on the other end at the internal end cap 59of the canopy 50.

FIGS. 3-4 show the operation of the cantilevered umbrella 20. To openthe cantilevered umbrella 20 from the closed state, the slide assembly70 is pulled upwards toward the free end 45 of the mast 40 using thefirst handle 71 and second handle 72. This causes the first cable 67 tostretch the spring 61, which provides the energy needed to raise thecantilevered umbrella 20. This also causes the second cable 68 to pullthe internal end cap 59 toward the center arm 56, which opens the canopy50 and moves the cantilevered arm 46 away from the mast 40. Once thecanopy 50 is fully opened to provide the maximize amount of coverage, alatch 77 in the slide assembly locks the second cable 68 into place sothat no movement of the second cable 68 is possible between the secondpulley 63 and the internal end cap 59. This latch 77 is released whenthe lowering button 76 is pressed. Once the latch 77 is engaged, thecantilevered umbrella 20 may be tilted by pressing the tilt button andraising or lowering the slide assembly 70 along the second portion 42 ofthe mast 40. The tilt button must be pressed while the slide assembly 70is raised or lowered.

To return the cantilevered umbrella 20 to the closed state, the loweringbutton 76 on the slide assembly 70 is pressed and held while the slideassembly 70 is lowered toward the base 30. This causes the internal endcap 59 to move away from the center arm 56, the canopy 50 to collapse,and the cantilevered arm 46 to toward the mast 40. When the cantileveredumbrella 20 is fully closed, the external arms 54, 55 of the canopy 50will be substantially parallel to the mast 40.

An alternative embodiment of a cantilevered umbrella 120 is in FIGS.5-12. In the cantilevered umbrella 120, an air shock system (not shown)is used to open and lower the cantilevered umbrella 120. Thecantilevered umbrella 120 has a base 130, a mast 140, and a canopy 150.A cantilevered arm 146 is attached to the mast 140 via a connecting body141. Away from the connecting body 141, the cantilevered arm 146 isattached to an end cap 153. A secondary arm 147 extends from the end cap153, such that the secondary arm 147 is direct across from thecantilevered arm 146 on the opposite side of the end cap 153. An arm bar168 is attached to a free end 145 of the secondary arm 147. An aperture149 extends through the arm bar 168 on the end that is away from wherethe arm bar 168 is attached to the secondary arm 147.

A control system 160 is located near a joint 142 between the mast 140and the connecting body 141. The control system 160 has a body 161, ahandle 162, a first lever 163, and a second lever 164. The body 161 hasa substantially triangular shape and is attached flush to the mast 140near the connecting body 141. The handle 162 also has a substantiallytriangular shape and is attached flush to the body 161. An aperture 165is formed in the handle 162 away from the joint 142 between the mast 140and the connecting body 141. The first lever 163 and the second lever164 are formed within the body 161 of the control system 160 away fromthe joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141. Thefirst lever 163 allows the cantilevered umbrella 120 to collapse, andthe second lever 164 allows the cantilevered umbrella to collapse at thejoint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141.

The control system 160 partially houses a rotation system 170 thatenables rotational movement of the cantilevered arm 146 at a joint 143as illustrated in FIG. 11. The rotation system 170 is shown in detail inFIG. 12 and includes a handle 171, a first pulley 172, a second pulley173, and a cable 174. The first pulley 172 can be smaller than thesecond pulley 173. The handle 171 is connected to the first pulley 172,which can be a drive pulley. The first pulley 172 and the second pulley173 are connected to one another via the cable 174. The cable 174 can bea chain, flexible belt, or other type of similar object.

The second pulley 173, which can also be a drive pulley, is attached toa second portion 177 of the cantilevered arm 146 such that movement ofthe second pulley 173 also moves the second portion 177 of thecantilevered arm 146. To accomplish this, the second portion 177 extendsthrough a first portion 176 of the cantilevered arm 146 to reach thesecond pulley 173 housed within the control system 160. The secondportion 177 should have enough clearance within the first portion 176 ofthe cantilevered arm 176 for the second portion 177 to rotate as thehandle 171 is rotated. The body 161 of the control system 160 serves asa cover for the rotation system 170 to protect the rotation system 170from contaminants and eliminate pinch points that could cause injury toa user of the cantilevered umbrella 120.

To close the cantilevered umbrella 120, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, the firstlever 163 is twisted, which allows air to slowly exit from a one-wayvalve (not shown) in the air shock system. As gravity slowly collapsesthe canopy 150, the secondary arm 147 moves toward the cantilevered arm146 until the secondary arm 147 is substantially parallel to thecantilevered arm 146 and the canopy 150 is collapsed between thesecondary arm 147 and the cantilevered arm 146. The arm bar 148 is thenused to push the secondary arm 147 into the canopy 150 until the canopy150 locks into the cantilevered arm 146 and the secondary arm 147through the use of a snapping mechanism (not shown) on the canopy 150.Once the snapping mechanism is activated to lock the canopy 150 into thecantilevered arm 146 and the secondary arm 147, the second lever istwisted to release the joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connectingbody 141 and fully close the cantilevered umbrella 120. The air shocksystem is used to ensure that the cantilevered arm 146, the secondaryarm 147, and the canopy 150 fall slowly and safely.

Referring to FIGS. 9-10, the cantilevered umbrella 120 may be openedfrom the closed state by raising the cantilevered arm 146, the secondaryarm 147, and the canopy 150 until a latch (not shown) in the joint 142between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141 is engaged. This holdsthe cantilevered arm 146 into position. The arm bar 148 is then pulledaway from the cantilevered arm 146 until the angle between thecantilevered arm 146 and the secondary arm 147 is approximately 180degrees and the secondary arm 147 locks into place through the use of alatch (not shown). The arm bar 148 may then be moved so that it is flushwith the secondary arm 147 and is out of view.

With the cantilevered umbrella 120 fully inflated, the second portion177 of the cantilevered arm 146 can be rotated with respect to firstportion 176 of the cantilevered arm along rotational path R2 by rotatingthe handle 171. This allows a user of the cantilevered umbrella 120 toposition the canopy 150 such that maximum coverage is achieved. Thecantilevered umbrella 120 can also be rotated from the base 130 bymoving the mast 140 along rotational path R1.

Yet alternative embodiment of a cantilevered umbrella 220 is shown inFIGS. 13-19. In the cantilevered umbrella 220, an air shock system 270is used to open and close the cantilevered umbrella 220. FIG. 13. showsthe cantilevered umbrella 220 in an opened position, where the canopy250 is inflated and the cantilevered arm 260 is substantiallyperpendicular to the mast 240. The cantilevered umbrella 220 has a base230, a mast 240, a canopy 250, and a cantilevered arm 260. The base 230is similar to the base 30. The base 230 may include a locking collar 235positioned on the outer surface of the base 230 adjacent to andsurrounding the mast 240. The locking collar 235 allows the mast 240 tobe rotated relative to the base 230 when the locking collar 235 isloosened.

The mast 240 is similar to the mast 40. The mast 240 may include a firstportion 241 adjacent to the base 230 and a second portion 242. Betweenthe first portion 241 and the second portion 242, a joint 243 can bepresent that allows the second portion 242 to be rotated in respect tothe first portion 241 when a handle 244 is rotated, which is shown inFIG. 14. This rotation is facilitated by a rotation system 290 that ispartially housed within mast 240.

The rotation system 290 includes a first gear 291, a second gear 292,and the handle 244, which is shown in FIG. 15. The handle 244 isconnected to the first gear 291, which can be housed within the firstportion 241 of the mast 240. The first gear 291 can be smaller in sizethan the second gear 292. The first gear 291 interlocks the second gear292 such that rotation of the first gear 291 by the handle 292 movesboth the first gear 291 and the second gear 292. The second gear 292 isattached to the second portion 242 of the mast, either directly orindirectly, such that movement of the second gear 292 by the first gear291 also moves the second portion 242 of the mast. The first gear 291and the second gear 292 can be enclosed in a first cover 293 and asecond cover 294, respectively, to protect the first gear 291 and thesecond gear 292 from contaminants. Alternatively, the first gear 291and/or the second gear 292 could be housed within the mast 240.

The cantilevered arm 260 is pivotally connected to an end of the mast240 that is opposite the base 230. A joint 261 may be positioned betweenthe cantilevered arm 260 and the mast 240. Adjacent to the joint 261, asupport collar 262 may be provided that includes a first portion 263 anda second portion 264. The first portion 263 of the support collar 262 isadjacent to the mast 240, and the second portion 264 of the supportcollar 262 is adjacent to the cantilevered arm 260. The first portion263 and the second portion 264 may individually have a generallytriangular shape but cumulatively have a substantially L-shapedconfiguration to provide addition support when the cantilevered umbrella220 is in an opened position.

The canopy 250 is similar to the canopy 50 and is comprised of acovering 251 and a frame 252. The covering 251 is similar to thecovering 51 and may be provided on top of the frame 252. FIG. 16 showsthe frame 252, which is comprised of a plurality of first ribs 253, aplurality of second ribs 254, a plurality of third ribs 255, a first hub256, a second hub 257, a third hub 258, and a connecting member 259. Arope 280 may be attached to the canopy 250 near the first hub 256 on topof the covering 251 to assist with opening and closing the canopy 150.

Although the length of each individual rib in each plurality of ribs mayvary, the plurality of first ribs 253 are generally the longest ribs andthe plurality of third ribs 255 are generally the shortest ribs whencomparing the plurality of ribs to one another. The length of eachindividual first ribs 253 may gradually increase around the canopy 250,such that the first rib 253 that is directly opposite the cantileveredarm 260 is the longest. The number of ribs in each set of plurality ofribs may vary. As shown, there are seven first ribs 253, eight secondribs 254, and four third ribs 255. There is one less first rib 253 inthe exemplary embodiment because the cantilevered arm 260 is functioningas the eighth first rib 253. It is anticipated that the frame 252 couldinclude the additional first rib 253, in which case the cantilevered arm260 would not need to serve as the additional first rib 253 and theframe 252 would instead be suspended from the cantilevered arm 260.

To assemble the frame 252, one end of each first rib 253 is pivotallyconnected to the first hub 256. The plurality of first ribs 253 may bespaced in an equidistant manner around the circumference of the firsthub 256. The first hub 256 is connected to one end of the connectingmember 259, and the other end of the connecting member 259 is connectedto the third hub 258. The connecting member 259 may be telescoping toassist with the opening and closing of the cantilevered umbrella 220.

One end of each third rib 255 is pivotally connected to the third hub258. The plurality of third ribs 255 may be spaced in an equidistantmanner around the circumference of the third hub 258. The other end ofthe each third rib 255 is pivotally connected to one first rib 253 andpositioned near the first hub 256. In the exemplary embodiment, thereare twice as many first ribs 253 as third ribs 255, so only every otherfirst rib 253 has a third rib 255 connected to it. Similar to first ribs253 and the third ribs 255, one end of each second rib 254 is pivotallyconnected to the second hub 257. The other end of each second rib 254 ispivotally connected to one first rib 253 and positioned near the distalend of the first rib 253. Once assembled, the centers of the first hub256, the second hub 257, and the third hub 258 may be coaxially aligned.

To assist with the opening and closing of the cantilevered umbrella 220,the air shock system 270 may be provided, which is shown in FIG. 17. Theair shock system 270 may include a first gas spring 271, a second gasspring 272, a third gas spring 273, a first actuator 274, and a secondactuator 275. The first actuator 274 corresponds to a first button 245on the mast 240, and the second actuator 275 corresponds to a secondbutton 246 on the mast 240. The first button 245 and second button 246may be used to operate the cantilevered umbrella 220. The first gasspring 271 may be affixed within the second portion 242 of the mast 240,the second gas spring 272 may be affixed within the cantilevered arm260, and the third gas spring 273 may be affixed within the connectingmember 259 of the canopy 250. The first gas spring 271 and the third gasspring 273 may each have a one-way air valve 278, 279 that is moveablebetween an opened position, where air can escape the gas spring 271, 273to allow the gas spring 271, 273 to contract, and a closed position,where air cannot escape the gas spring 271, 273 and the gas spring 271,273 will elongate as force is applied to it.

The first gas spring 271, the second gas spring 272, and the third gasspring 273 are connected by a plurality of pulleys 276 and a pluralityof cables 277. As shown, one cable 277 connects the first actuator 274to the one-way air valve 279 of the third gas spring 273. A second cable277 connects an end of the third gas spring 273 to a fixed point 283 inthe connecting member 259 near the third hub 258. A third cable 277connects the third gas spring 273 to a fixed point 284 in the mast 240.A fourth cable 277 connects the first gas spring 271 to a point 285 onthe cable 277 that connects the first actuator 274 to the one-way airvalve 279 of the third gas spring 273. A fifth cable 277 connects thesecond actuator 275 to the one-way air valve 278 of the second gasspring 272. A sixth cable 277 connects an end of the second gas spring272 to a fixed point 282 in the connecting member 259 near the third hub258. The pulleys 276 assist with guiding the cables 277 through thesecond portion 242 of the mast 240, the cantilevered arm 260, and theconnecting member 259 of the canopy 250.

FIG. 18 shows the cantilevered umbrella 220 in a closed position, wherethe canopy 250 is deflated and the cantilevered arm 260 is substantiallyparallel to the mast 240. To keep the cantilevered umbrella 220 in theclosed position, the rope 280 is tied around the mast 240 near the base230. To open the cantilevered umbrella 220, the rope 280 is untied. Whenthe rope 280 is untied, the first gas spring 271 will expand to urge thecantilevered arm 260 upward toward the opened position, where thecantilevered arm 260 is substantially perpendicular to the mast 240.This occurs because the natural state of the first gas spring 271 isuncompressed. The second button 246 is then pressed to activate thesecond actuator 275, which in turn opens the one-way air valve 278 onthe second gas spring 272. As air exits through the one-way air valve279 on the second gas spring 272, the second gas spring 272 contracts toinflate the canopy 250 by decreasing the length of the connecting member259, which raises the plurality of first ribs 253. Once the canopy 250is fully inflated, the second portion 242 of the mast 240 can be rotatedwith respect to the first portion 241 of the mast 240 by rotating thehandle 244.

To close the cantilevered umbrella 220, the second portion 242 of themast 240 should first be returned to a substantially vertical positionby rotating the handle 244 of the rotation system 290 in the oppositedirection. The first button 245 and the second button 246 are thenpressed, which can be done at the same time. Because this is the secondtime the second button 246 has been pressed, the second actuator 275will deactivate, which in turn closes the one-way air valve 278 on thesecond gas spring 272. When first button 245 is pressed, the firstactuator 274 is activated, which in turn closes the one-way air valve279 on the third gas spring 273 to allow the third gas spring 273 toexpand. As the third gas spring 273 expands, the connecting member 259of the canopy 250 increases in length, which lowers the plurality offirst ribs 253. The cantilevered arm 260 and the canopy 250 can then bemanually pushed toward the mast 240 until the cantilevered arm 260 issubstantially parallel with the mast 240. The rope 280 on the canopy 250can then be tied around the mast 240 near the base 230 to secure thecantilevered umbrella 220 in the closed position.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to acertain specific embodiments, modification may now suggest itself tothose skilled in the art. Such modifications and various changes in formand detail may be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the inventionwill be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cantilevered umbrella, comprising: a base; amast having a first end connectable to the base and a second end; acantilevered arm having a first portion pivotally connected to thesecond end of the mast and a second portion rotatably connected to thefirst portion; a canopy connectable to the cantilevered arm and having acovering and a frame, wherein the frame is moveable between an inflatedposition and a deflated position; and a rotation system having a handle,a first pulley operable by the handle, a second pulley connectable tothe second portion of the cantilevered arm, and a cable connecting thefirst pulley to the second pulley, wherein rotation of the handlerotates the second portion of the cantilevered arm with respect to thefirst portion of the cantilevered arm.
 2. The cantilevered umbrella ofclaim 1, further comprising: a cover at least partially surrounding therotation system to protect the rotation system from contaminants.
 3. Thecantilevered umbrella of claim 1, wherein the first pulley is smallerthan the second pulley.
 4. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 1, whereinthe cable is a chain.
 5. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 1, whereinthe cable is a flexible belt.
 6. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 2,wherein the first pulley is smaller than the second pulley.
 7. Thecantilevered umbrella of claim 6, wherein the cable is a chain.
 8. Thecantilevered umbrella of claim 6, wherein the cable is a flexible belt.9. A cantilevered umbrella, comprising: a base; a mast having a firstportion connectable to the base and a second portion rotatable withrespect to the first portion; a cantilevered arm pivotally connected tothe mast; a canopy connectable to the cantilevered arm and having acovering and a frame, wherein the frame is moveable between an inflatedposition and a deflated position; and a rotation system having a handle,a first gear connectable to the handle, and a second gear connectable tothe second portion of the mast, wherein rotation of the handle rotatesthe second portion of the mast with respect to the first portion of themast.
 10. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 9, wherein the first gearand the second gear interlock one another.
 11. The cantilevered umbrellaof claim 9, wherein the first gear is smaller than the second gear. 12.The cantilevered umbrella of claim 9, wherein the first gear isprotected by a first cover.
 13. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 9,wherein the second gear is protected by a second cover.
 14. Thecantilevered umbrella of claim 13, wherein the second cover is connectedto the second portion of the mast.
 15. The cantilevered umbrella ofclaim 10, wherein the first gear is smaller than the second gear. 16.The cantilevered umbrella of claim 15, wherein the first gear isprotected by a first cover.
 17. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 16,wherein the second gear is protected by a second cover.
 18. Thecantilevered umbrella of claim 17, wherein the second cover is connectedto the second portion of the mast.